A study of the dynamic properties of the human red blood cell membrane using quasi-elastic light-scattering spectroscopy.

A quasi-elastic light-scattering (QELS) microscope spectrometer was used to study the dynamic properties of the membrane/cytoskeleton of individual human red blood cells (RBCs). QELS is a spectroscopic technique that measures intensity fluctuations of laser light scattered from a sample. The intensity fluctuations were analyzed using power spectra and the intensity autocorrelation function, g(2)(tau), which was approximated with a single exponential. The value of the correlation time, Tcorr, was used for comparing results. Motion of the RBC membrane/cytoskeleton was previously identified as the source of the QELS signal from the RBC (R. B. Tishler and F. D. Carlson, 1987. Biophys. J. 51:993-997), and additional data supporting that conclusion are presented. Similar results were obtained from anucleate mammalian RBCs that have structures similar to that of the human RBC, but not for morphologically distinct, nucleated RBCs. The effect of altering the physical properties of the cytoplasm and the membrane/cytoskeleton was also studied. Osmotically increasing the cytoplasmic viscosity led to significant increases in Tcorr. Increasing the membrane cholesterol content and increasing the intracellular calcium content both led to decreased deformability of the human RBC. In both cases, the modified cells with decreased deformability showed an increase in Tcorr, demonstrating that QELS could measure biochemically induced changes of the membrane/cytoskeleton. Physiological changes were measured in studies of age-separated RBC populations which showed that Tcorr was increased in the older, less deformable cells.     

Effects of hemolysis, hematocrit, RBC swelling, and flow rate on light scattering by blood in a 0.26 cm ID transparent tube

The intensity of light scattering by blood in a tube of diameter 0.26 cm was measured with an apparatus devised by us at different angles on an incident cross-sectional plane. Changes in angular distribution of light intensity associated with hemolysis, and changes in hematocrit (Ht), red blood cell (RBC) swelling, and flow rate were plotted on polar coordinates. The dyssymmetry index, defined as the ratio of the intensity of light at 45 degrees to that at 135 degrees, was used to characterize the shape of the diagrams of light scattering. The index decreased with Ht, flow rate, but increased with RBC swelling. It is concluded that light scattering by blood requires intactness of the RBC membrane. Even when the cell membrane is intact, light scattering is subject to changes with the flow rate of blood, presumably due to RBC aggregation.     

A methodology for estimating the shape of biconcave red blood cells using multicolor scattering images

In this paper, a novel methodology for estimating the shape of human biconcave red blood cells (RBCs), using color scattering images, is presented. The information retrieval process includes, image normalization, features extraction using two-dimensional discrete transforms, such as angular radial transform (ART), Zernike moments and Gabor filters bank and features dimension reduction using both independent component analysis (ICA) and principal component analysis (PCA). A radial basis neural network (RBF-NN) estimates the RBC geometrical properties. The proposed method is evaluated in both regression and identification tasks by processing images of a simulated device used to acquire scattering phenomena of moving RBCs. The simulated device consists of a tricolor light source (light emitting diode – LED) and moving RBCs in a thin glass. The evaluation database includes 23,625 scattering images, obtained by means of the boundary element method. The regression and identification accuracy of the actual RBC shape is estimated using three feature sets in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise from 60 to 10 dB SNR and systematic distortion, giving a mean error rate less than 1% of the actual RBC shape, and more than 99% mean identification rate.     

Identification of cell asymmetry and orientation by light scattering.

Light scattering from chicken red blood cells has been used as a model system to identify the asymmetry of cells. The histogram for forward angle light scattering for these cells is bimodal, the signal size being dependent on the cell orientation. A dual orthogonal scatter system is used to conclusively demonstrate this orientational variation in signal. A third scattering system, using a single incident beam with two orthogonal detectors, is used to further characterize the orientational variation of the scatter signal. In this third system it is shown that the signal in a detector set 90 degrees from the incident beam collects light reflected from the cell surface. The optical selection of cells in specific orientations using these systems may circumvent the need to physically orient cell in flow systems.     

Oxidative status of valinomycin-resistant normal, beta-thalassemia and sickle red blood cells

Exposure of red blood cells (RBC) to the K+ -ionophore valinomycin (val), causes loss of KCl and water, resulting in cell dehydration, manifested by increased cell density. While almost all normal val-treated RBC dehydrate, in sickle cell anemia (SCA) a portion of the RBC fail to dehydrate and maintain a light density, indicating the existence of val-resistant (val-res) RBC. In thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD), although the primary lesion is in the globin genes, damage to the RBC is partly mediated by oxidative stress. We previously showed that such RBC are under oxidative stress, having more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and less reduced glutathione than normal RBC. We now report a relationship between the phenomenon of val-res and the RBC oxidative status: Treatment with oxidants that increase ROS, also increased the frequency of val-res cells. Val-res cells had higher oxidative status than other RBC in the sample. Similar to SCA, thalassemic blood has more val-res cells than does normal blood. Val-res cells in thalassemic and sickle blood showed a higher oxidative status than normal val-res cells. Thus, oxidative stress might be involved in generation of val-res cells. Further studies are required to elucidate the origin and significance of these cells.     

An attempt to separate mononuclear cells fused with human red blood cell-ghosts from a cell mixture treated with HVJ (Sendai virus) using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS II).

Nucleated cells (Ehrlich ascites tumor cells or L strain cells) and human red blood cells (RBC)-ghosts were mixed and fused by ultraviolet-inactivated HVJ (Sendai virus). The cell mixture was stained with FITC conjugated anti-RBC ghost antiserum and then applied to FACS II apparatus. The apparatus sorted mononuclear cells fused with RBC-ghosts from the cell mixture on the basis of both the light scattering and fluorescence profiles. When the same procedure was carried out on a mixture containing cells and intact human RBC, the cells sorted by this method were cells into which hemoglobin had been injected. The sorted cells were capable of forming colonies in culture. This sorting method may be useful for collecting cells in which macromolecules have been injected artificially by fusion of RBC-ghosts enclosing macromolecules.     

Signaling mechanisms in red blood cells: A view through the protein phosphorylation and deformability

Intracellular signaling mechanisms in red blood cells (RBCs) involve various protein kinases and phosphatases and enable rapid adaptive responses to hypoxia, metabolic requirements, oxidative stress, or shear stress by regulating the physiological properties of the cell. Protein phosphorylation is a ubiquitous mechanism for intracellular signal transduction, volume regulation, and cytoskeletal organization in RBCs. Spectrin-based cytoskeleton connects integral membrane proteins, band 3 and glycophorin C to junctional proteins, ankyrin and Protein 4.1. Phosphorylation leads to a conformational change in the protein structure, weakening the interactions between proteins in the cytoskeletal network that confers a more flexible nature for the RBC membrane. The structural organization of the membrane and the cytoskeleton determines RBC deformability that allows cells to change their ability to deform under shear stress to pass through narrow capillaries. The shear stress sensing mechanisms and oxygenation-deoxygenation transitions regulate cell volume and mechanical properties of the membrane through the activation of ion transporters and specific phosphorylation events mediated by signal transduction. In this review, we summarize the roles of Protein kinase C, cAMP-Protein kinase A, cGMP-nitric oxide, RhoGTPase, and MAP/ERK pathways in the modulation of RBC deformability in both healthy and disease states. We emphasize that targeting signaling elements may be a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies or channelopathies. We expect the present review will provide additional insights into RBC responses to shear stress and hypoxia via signaling mechanisms and shed light on the current and novel treatment options for pathophysiological conditions.     

Innate immune and non-immune mediators of erythrocyte clearance.

Erythrocyte clearance is reviewed in the context of what is known in 2003 on clearance of apoptotic cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, emphasis is put on the role of the innate immune system comprised of naturally occurring autoantibodies (NAbs) and complement. Oxidative damage, cellular senescence and diffusion-controlled exoplasmic cross-linking appear to generate oligomers of band 3 (anion transport protein) that are a prerequisite for anti-band 3 NAb binding to human red blood cells (RBC). Similar processes seem to be responsible for premature RBC clearance in hemoglobinopathies and membrane protein deficiencies. The review discusses why NAb binding alone is insufficient and how bound NAbs may enhance complement deposition. Clearance of RBC is not only the result of cell-bound opsonins, but is enhanced by the loss of RBC membrane constituents, such as CD47 and sialic acids. As long as these constituents are present on RBC in normal numbers and topologic arrangement, they bind to their respective receptors on macrophages, elicit a negative signal that appears to prevent the macrophage from engulfing bound RBC. Exposure of phosphatidylserine is not a primary signal for RBC removal and where exposed it initiates binding of CRP or of beta-2-glycoprotein I and NAbs.     

Growth of Azotobacter vinelandii with correlation of Coulter cell size, flow cytometric parameters, and ultrastructure

When Azotobacter vinelandii is grown under nitrogen-fixing conditions, the mean cell volume fluctuates from 2.7 to 6.6 microns 3 as determined using a Coulter counter. When NH4Cl is supplied as nitrogen source, the mean cell volume fluctuates from 4.6 to 7.4 microns3. Parallel experiments using flow cytometric measurements show similar characteristic fluctuations in the narrow forward angle light scattering signal and also in cellular protein content as determined using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) fluorescence. Fluctuations in the perpendicular light scatter signal during batch growth are similar for both sets of growth conditions. Changes in cell morphology and ultrastructure are also similar for both sets of growth conditions, as demonstrated by electron microscopic examination. We conclude that narrow forward angle light scatter is a close correlate of cell size, whereas right angle scatter is an indicator of morphological variations other than size.     

Oxidative status of valinomycin-resistant normal, β-thalassemia and sickle red blood cells

Exposure of red blood cells (RBC) to the K⁺-ionophore valinomycin (val), causes loss of KCl and water, resulting in cell dehydration, manifested by increased cell density. While almost all normal val-treated RBC dehydrate, in sickle cell anemia (SCA) a portion of the RBC fail to dehydrate and maintain a light density, indicating the existence of val-resistant (val-res) RBC. In thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD), although the primary lesion is in the globin genes, damage to the RBC is partly mediated by oxidative stress. We previously showed that such RBC are under oxidative stress, having more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and less reduced glutathione than normal RBC. We now report a relationship between the phenomenon of val-res and the RBC oxidative status: Treatment with oxidants that increase ROS, also increased the frequency of val-res cells. Val-res cells had higher oxidative status than other RBC in the sample. Similar to SCA, thalassemic blood has more val-res cells than does normal blood. Val-res cells in thalassemic and sickle blood showed a higher oxidative status than normal val-res cells. Thus, oxidative stress might be involved in generation of val-res cells. Further studies are required to elucidate the origin and significance of these cells.     

A quasi-elastic light scattering study of smooth muscle myosin in the presence of ATP.

We have investigated the hydrodynamic properties of turkey gizzard smooth muscle myosin in solution using quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS). The effects of ionic strength (0.05-0.5 M KCl) and light chain phosphorylation on the conformational transition of myosin were examined in the presence of ATP at 20 degrees C. Cumulant analysis and light scattering models were used to describe the myosin system in solution. A nonlinear least squares fitting procedure was used to determine the model that best fits the data. The conformational transition of the myosin monomer from a folded form to an extended form was clearly demonstrated in a salt concentration range of 0.15-0.3 M KCl. Light chain phosphorylation regulates the transition and promotes unfolding of the myosin. These results agree with the findings obtained using sedimentation velocity and electron microscopy (Onishi and Wakabayashi, 1982; Trybus et al., 1982; Trybus and Lowey, 1984). In addition, we present evidence for polymeric myosin coexisting with the two monomeric myosin species over a salt concentration range from 0.05 to 0.5 M KCl. The size of the polymeric myosin varied with salt concentration. This observation supports the hypothesis that, in solution, a dynamic equilibrium exists between the two conformations of myosin monomer and filaments.     

Rapid estimation of length distributions of microtubule preparations by quasi-elastic light scattering

A new method for determining the length distribution of microtubule preparations, using quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) is described. The experimental electric field autocorrelation functions are analyzed using a closed-form expression recently described by Hallett, Craig, and Nickel [(1985) Biopolymers 24 , 947–960], which is incorporated into an exponential sampling procedure. The resulting length distributions are compared with those obtained for the same samples with electron microscopy (EM). If standard grid-preparation procedures were used, the EM results yielded shorter length distributions than QELS. When grids were prepared at lower microtubule number densities, less grid washing was required. In these cases, excellent agreement between the EM and QELS techniques were achieved.     

Complexation of trypsin and alcohol dehydrogenase with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)

Complexation of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and trypsin with poly(diallyldimethyl-ammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) in dilute electrolyte solution was studied by turbidimetric titration, quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS), and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS). Both QELS and turbidimetric titration show that PDADMAC forms complexes with ADH and trypsin in 0.01M NaCl solution at pH ≥ 6.8 and pH ≥ 9.2, respectively. These complexes take the form of stable coacervates in 0.01M, pH 11.0, phosphate buffer solution. QELS shows sizes of 400 and 315 nm for the coacervates of ADH-PDMDAAC and trypsin-PDMDAAC, respectively, while ELS reveals that these coacervates carry a net positive charge. Activity measurements show that both ADH and trypsin are enzymatically active in their coacervated states. Complexation of trypsin and PDADMAC was also studied by fluorescence in 0.01M, pH 11.0, phosphate buffer, and the protein emission was found to be quenched by complexation. The fluorescence quenching data show that trypsin retains its three-dimensional structure in the complex. These and other results are consistent with the quenching of the two tryptophans on the protein surface, but not the interior ones.© 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structural parameters of the myelin transmembrane proteolipid in reverse micelles.

The Folch-Pi proteolipid is the most abundant structural protein from the central nervous system myelin. This protein-lipid complex, normally insoluble in water, requires only a small amount of water for solubilization in reverse micelles of sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) in isooctane. The characterization of the proteolipid-free and proteolipid-containing micelles was undertaken by light scattering and fluorescence recovery after fringe pattern photobleaching (FRAPP) experiments. Quasi elastic light scattering (QELS) was carried out at a high (200 mM) AOT concentration, at low water-to-surfactant mole ratio (Wo = 7) and at increasing protein occupancy. Two apparent hydrodynamic radii, differing tenfold in size, were obtained from correlation functions. The smaller one (RaH = 5.2 nm) remains constant and corresponds to that measured for protein-free micelles. The larger one increases linearly with protein concentration. In contrast, FRAPP measurements of self-diffusion coefficients were found unaffected by the proteolipid concentration. Accordingly, they have been performed at constant protein/surfactant mole ratios. The equivalent RH, extrapolated to zero AOT concentration for protein-free reverse micelles (2.9 nm) and in the presence of the proteolipid (4.6 nm), do not reveal the mode of organization previously suggested by QELS measurements. The complex picture emerging from this work represents a first step in the characterization of an integral membrane protein in reverse micelles.     

PTPepsilon has a critical role in signaling transduction pathways and phosphoprotein network topology in red cells

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are crucial components of cellular signal transduction pathways. Here, we report that red blood cells (RBCs) from mice lacking PTPepsilon (Ptpre(-/-)) exhibit (i) abnormal morphology; (ii) increased Ca(2+)-activated-K(+) channel activity, which was partially blocked by the Src family kinases (SFKs) inhibitor PP1; and (iii) market perturbation of the RBC membrane tyrosine (Tyr-) phosphoproteome, indicating an alteration of RBC signal transduction pathways. Using the signaling network computational analysis of the Tyr-phosphoproteomic data, we identified seven topological clusters. We studied cluster 1 containing Fyn, SFK, and Syk another tyrosine kinase. In Ptpre(-/-)mouse RBCs, the activity of Fyn was increased while Syk kinase activity was decreased compared to wild-type RBCs, validating the network computational analysis, and indicating a novel signaling pathway, which involves Fyn and Syk in regulation of red cell morphology.     

Flow cytometer based on triggered supercontinuum laser illumination

Multiple wavelength operation in a flow cytometer is an exciting way for cell analysis based on both fluorescence and optical scattering processing. For example, this multiparametric technique is currently used to differentiate blood cells subpopulations. The choice of excitation wavelengths matching fluorochrome spectra (it is currently the opposite) and the use of a broader range of fluorochromes can be made by taking advantage of a filtered supercontinuum white light source. In this study, we first wished to validate the use of a specific triggered supercontinuum laser in a flow cytometer based on white light scattering and electric sizing on human blood cells. Subsequently, to show the various advantages of this attractive system, using scattering effect, electrical detections, and fluorescence analysis, we realized cells sorting based on DNA/RNA stained by thiazole orange. Discrimination of white blood cells is efficiently demonstrated by using a triggered supercontinuum-based flow cytometer operating in a "one cell-one shot" configuration. The discriminated leukocyte populations are monocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, immature granulocytes, and cells having a high RNA content (monoblasts, lymphoblasts, and plasma cells). To the best of our knowledge, these results constitute the first practical demonstration of flow cytometry based on triggered supercontinuum illumination. This study is the starting point of a series of new experiments fully exploiting the spectral features of such a laser source. For example, the large flexibility in the choice of the excitation wavelength allows to use a larger number of fluorochromes and to excite them more efficiently. Moreover, this work opens up new research directions in the biophotonics field, such as the combination of coherent Raman spectroscopy and flow cytometry techniques.     

Light scattering studies of the solution properties of chitosans of varying degrees of acetylation

The use of two techniques, differential interferometry and quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS), allowed us to study solutions of chitosan varying in degree of acetylation (DA), degree of dissociation (alpha), and concentration (C(p)). With the first technique, we demonstrated the modification of the electric polarizability of the polymer chains, through a law of behavior of the variation of the refractive index increment dn/dC with DA and alpha. This brought us information on the various kinds of interactions (H-bonds, electrostatic, and hydrophobic) involved in the evolution of the solution properties. QELS experiments performed in dilute regime showed the presence of supramolecular structures depending on DA and alpha. The topology and the nature of these objects are discussed. The typical presence of aggregates and their evolution with concentration was also demonstrated in semidilute regime.     

Electro-insertion of xeno-glycophorin into the red blood cell membrane

The electroporation technique, with field strengths slightly below the critical value Ec for electroporation of red blood cells (RBC), enables the insertion of xeno-proteins into the RBC membrane without damaging the cells. The electro-insertion has been used to insert biotinylated human glycophorin into human RBC membrane and human glycophorin into murine RBC membrane. Binding anti-human glycophorin antibody (10F7) to the murine RBC bearing human glycophorin indicates extracellular orientation of inserted glycophorin. Insertion of about 10(5) glycophorin molecule per cell has been estimated by whole cell ELISA.     

Estrogen activates raf-1 kinase and induces expression of Egr-1 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

We have demonstrated that in normal and b/b rat red blood cells (RBCs) hsp70-like protein (heat shock protein 70-like) is localized in the cytosol and it is exported via exosomes during in vivo reticulocytes maturation. As we have presumed, in the mutant (b/b) rat, hsp70-like protein transfers from cytosol to the RBC membrane. In the normal rat RBCs this happens when those cells are submitted to heat stress conditions. Our study indicates that the presence of hsp70-like protein in the b/b rat RBC plasma membrane is consistent with a primary defect and is not a consequence of life long stress, i.e. hypoxia.     

Determination of red blood cell shape recovery time constant in a couette system by the analysis of light reflectance and ektacytometry

Red blood cell (RBC) shape change under shear is generally reversible, with the time course of shape recovery a function of the elastic and viscous properties of the RBC membrane. RBC shape recovery can be investigated, using several different techniques, to provide information about the membrane material properties that are not directly accessible by frequently used methods to assess RBC deformability (e.g., micropore filtration). In the present study, RBC shape recovery was studied in a Couette system after abrupt cessation of shear, either by analyzing the time course of laser light reflection or by serial measurements of elongation indexes from laser diffraction patterns. The time course of shape recovery monitored with both techniques can be described with an exponential equation. Calculated time constants for normal human RBC were 119 ± 17 msec and 97 ± 15 msec as measured by light reflection and ektacytometry, respectively. Treatment of RBC with glutaraldehyde resulted in dose-dependent decreases in the shape recovery time constant. Heat treatment (48 ° C, 20 min), which is known to increase mainly the shear elastic modulus of the membrane, decreased the time constant by 65%. In contrast, wheat germ agglutinin treatment increased the shape recovery time constant by 22%, presumably by increasing membrane surface viscosity. Our results indicate that the shape recovery time constant of RBC can be measured easily and accurately by computerized light reflection analysis.